Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Walking In The Air (from: The Snowman) - Birthing Angels Crafts

Vintage-Looking Snowman Craft - Birthing Angels Crafts

"Whenever a snowman melts away, a snow angel is added to heaven that day." - Author Unknown
 I love snowmen crafts and collecting them too---especially if the snowmen have a vintage look to them.  I think my sister achieved this when she created this cute wooden vintage-looking snowman carrying a sack of goodies.  He has a leather scarf held together with a black safety pin, to keep his neck warm.  Although, this snowman was sold, I am glad I took this picture to remember him by.
Leticia

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Believe in the Spirit of Christmas - Birthing Angels Crafts

 "I truly believe that if we keep telling the Christmas story, singing the Christmas songs, and living the Christmas spirit, we can bring joy and happiness and peace to this world." -  Norman Vincent Peale
I loved creating this wooden angel.  It was my first wooden angel and out of it was born the idea of Birthing Angels Crafts.  I believe our inspirations are born inside of us and are birthed through our art---our crafts---our writing---our actions.  So follow your inspirations and see where your life takes you.
Leticia 

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Memories of Christmas Magic - Birthing Angels Crafts

Christmas is a season for kindling the fire for hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart.
-  Washington Irving
I have always loved Christmas---not because of the presents I received as a child (although I do remember the gifts) but because of the happy memories.  I remember my parents sitting on the couch, viewing the  The Lawrence Welk Show on our black and white TV---while my older sister and I pranced around the tree and pretended to be skating using our red tights to slide on the wood floors.

So remember, the holidays are not just about gifts.  The holidays are also about creating memories, sharing, and brotherhood amongst us all.
Leticia

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Appreciation in Our Everyday Life - Birthing Angels Crafts

Appreciation is the highest form of prayer, for it acknowledges the presence of good wherever you shine the light of your thankful thoughts.  - Alan Cohen
Be Thankful
Appreciation for the people in our life---for the love and joy in our life---for the creativity in our work---for our food and shelter---for the laughter---for the inspiration that shows up---all of it is created by you.  For appreciation breeds more abundance in that area.  So be thankful for everything in your life---even though you may not see the blessing in it.  Because even so called "bad" events can show you something to appreciate.
Have a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving.
Leticia




Sunday, November 20, 2011

An Easy Peezy and Inexpensive Way to Add Shabby Chic to a Wood Chair - Birthing Angels Crafts

A house that does not have one warm, comfy chair in it is soulless.  - May Sarton

One never knows where one will find inspiration.  My sister and I love to go to Garage Sales, Second-Hand stores, Yard Sales and Antique Fairs.  For some reason, we find ourselves drawn to old, vintage looking finds that we can repurpose or reuse in our crafts or in our home.

My sister picked up this chair at a yard sale for $2.  It was nice but not comfortable enough and it did not quite fit into her room decor.  My sister recalled that she had seen an old chair at a second-hand store that was covered with a king-size pillow sham.  It did wonders for the chair---well my sister did the same thing with her $2 chair.  The top part of the sham was opened and slid over the back of the chair and was attached to the back of the chair spokes using the little ties on the sham.  I told you it was easy peezy.  Now you can do it too.
Mary Helen



Friday, November 18, 2011

Craft a Birthday Card - Birthing Angels Crafts

All the world is birthday cake, so take a piece, but not too much.  --- George Harrison




My other sister, Molly, made this cute birthday card for me this year (craftiness runs in the family).  She knows that I love the Shabby Chic style, so she used that style to create this unique birthday card for me.  Molly used a pre-made card and chip board cutouts.  I believe what I loved the most is that she put in the time and the thought into making this beautiful unique card for me.  Thanks Molly.
Leticia

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Earth Angel - Birthing Angels Crafts

If instead of a gem, or even a flower, we should cast the gift of a loving thought into the heart of a friend, that would be giving as the angels give.  --- George MacDonald

My best friend in the whole world is Esther.  She recently lost her dog named Chato.  He was a close companion, he loved to wear the crochet sweaters she made for him but most of all---Chato loved to ride on her lap as he stuck his head out of the car window.  She had him since he was a puppy and pampered him to no end.  Chato gave her so much love, loyalty and happiness that it saddened me to hear of his passing.  Of course, Chato lived to a ripe old age but nevertheless, it was hard for Esther.

This is my inspiration for the small shrine I created for Chato.  It is a Mexican tradition to make shrines of loved ones that have passed to keep them in your memory.

Esther, my friend, you are an earth angel to me---a friendship that I treasure and hope will last for many more years to come.

Leticia (aka Tish) 

Monday, November 14, 2011

Craft Some Chicks - Birthing Angels Crafts

A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song.  -  Lou Holtz
 



This is an easy peezy fun craft we sewed from a free download on the Selvedge Magazine site (I love this textile magazine).  Tamar Mogendorff is the creator of this pattern.  What made this such a fun craft---was one could mix and match as many colors and fabrics as you wished.  We even made a crow out of the pattern and added it to my Autumn wreath.  The pattern is simple, easy to sew and put together.  Here are just a few pics of the crafty chicks/crow we put together.  Enjoy!

Mary Helen

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Vintage Whimsical Christmas Deer - Birthing Angels Crafts

 "Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others, cannot keep it from themselves."
- James M. Barrie
Inspiration comes in so many ways, from so many wonderful creative people.  I was reading one of my favorite blogs today Kelly Rae Roberts and totally fell in love with these Christmas deers made by  Magpie Ethel (I love this blog too).  Magpie Ethel takes vintage to new heights.  I love the bling!  Okay sister, it's time to go vintage deer hunting.

Leticia

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Vintage Window Crafting - Birthing Angels Crafts

"He will open the windows of heaven and pour blessings upon you."
- Mahalia Jackson, African-American gospel singer

This was a fun craft idea from a free pattern we found online by Amy Butler.  We decided to change it by using small vintage windows as the frame.  A piece of wood was cut for the backing and will be covered with duck cloth.  We then selected beautiful paisley fabric to cut out the silhouette of the bird pattern.  The bird was first attached to the duck cloth using fusible webbing, then sewn on to the cloth using the zig-zag stitch.  We used spray adhesive to attach the cloth to the wooden board and Voila, we made a beautiful wall hanging.  We loved this window craft so much.

Mary Helen

Monday, November 7, 2011

Do what you love and love what you do - Birthing Angels Crafts

"Do what you love and love what you do."  Wayne Dyer, spiritual guru



When I first heard this saying, I had to write it down.  At the time, I had a great job but felt creatively depleted.  I missed the fun and imagination of creating. 

So my intention is to:  Do what I love and love what I do.  I do not have a clear path yet but I am looking forward to the journey.  My creativity and crafts are passions of mine that I want to weave into the tapestry of my life.  What are your creative intentions?

Leticia

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Scaredy Cat Made from Pom-Poms - Birthing Angels Crafts




How do you like my Scaredy Cat craft?  He is made of pom-poms.  I love making my own pom-poms because I can chose any color and any type of yarn.  My creativity was sparked by viewing Jennifer Murphy on the Martha Stewart show.  Jennifer made a pom-pom rabbit that I loved, so I tried it.  One additional thing I did was to tea dye the pom-poms to give them that old vintage look that I love. 

My husband cut the wooden circle base that I covered with scrapbook paper.  I made a tiny Sculpey clay pumpkin, a hat and he was ready to go out for Tricks or Treats.

Leticia



 

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Welcome to the Birthing Angels Crafts Blog

I am so new to blogging.  I wanted a blog that reflected my love for crafts and creativity.  I found the right look for my blog on the Shabby Blogs website.  This website offers free tutorials, free blog art and so much more, I can not thank them enough.  I share their link on my Links/Favorites page.

I also have a Grab Button with a picture of Cotton Candy, a wooden angel my sister, Mary Helen, crafted and designed.  Please feel free to share the link on your blog, I would definitely appreciate it.

I look forward to blogging my passion for crafts and creativity with you.
Leticia